Tell me about your (non pod) coffee machine please!

So I have a nespresso but my pod guilt means I rarely use it and so DH and I have decided to buy ourselves a new machine in the sales but I'm not sure where to start really so tell me what you've had/have, what's good, what's not good - anything would be helpful really.
TIA!

We had a saeco grind to cup.... (we sold it and bought a nespresso! )
Anyway. ..it was great. It was an Intelia brand. Grinds beans. ..froths milk all at the touch of a button. Great machine.
We bought nespresso because we like different strength coffee. Which is hard if you have a grind to cup machine.

But I would recommend it. We got it several years ago on sale after Christmas, for around $1100.

The Following User Says Thank You to Tamtam For This Useful Post:

We had a Nespresso pod machine. We had the milk frother replaced twice, and then the machine died after 18 months, so I gave up.

We've had this one for about 2 years now. Absolutely cannot fault it. It's been perfect and makes a good coffee. The only downside, if you can call it that, is that you can't extract coffee and froth milk at the same time, so I just extract the coffee, then do the milk afterwards. No biggie. Took a little while to perfect the grind size for the beans, but once it's done, it's not something you have to change, unless you use different beans.

I think of you go non pod it's good to get a shrunken cafe machine. Ours was about $1800 but we make up to 6 coffees every day. We've had it for 2 years and it's paid for itself (well who knows too much maths for me).

The Following User Says Thank You to Sonja For This Useful Post:

We've got a sunbeam cafe series twin thermoblock machine, and the matching grinder. I don't drink coffee, but we've had people come out of their way to visit for a cuppa and a chat. It must make good coffees. They all rave once they've started drinking it.
DH can change the coarseness of the grind, strength of the coffee. It's easy to clean and use. Can do the coffee and froth milk at the same time, and DH has been known to be grinding beans for the next few cups at the same time when we have the family over (we have a rather large family)

The Following User Says Thank You to twinklify For This Useful Post:

I have a Lelit espresso machine, I bought it from Jetblack Espresso in Sydney about 3 years ago, it's been worth every penny, has an in built burr grinder etc. It's on par with the Silvia Rancilio but has the grinder. http://www.jetblackespresso.com.au/s...emd/#gsc.tab=0

We have a really basic Sunbeam cafe. Not sure about the model but it's great. It doesn't grind beans, frother works well once I figured it out, easy to clean. It's very compact which is great as we don't have much bench space.

I would like a larger one with more bells and whistles but very happy with the one we have.

Impressionable Kids are Australia's leader in framed children's memorabilia and specialise in framed baby hand and feet sculptures. With franchise locations throughout Australia you can be assured you will receive a quality handmade product with a lifetime warranty on all frames.